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ZipPicks Awards

Best Late Night Burgers in Hollywood

Vibe Check this spot

Food Quality 5
Service 5
Atmosphere 5
Value 5
Consistency 5
Cultural Relevance 5

0 / 5 selected

Master Critic Review

In-N-Out Burger - Hollywood 8.3
Hollywood
A 75-year-old fast-food operation that still runs on a short menu, fresh-never-frozen beef, and hand-cut fries — the constraint is the point. The Sunset Blvd location draws late-night crowds and first-time visitors for the neon sign alone, but the real draw is a burger-and-fries formula that delivers reliably at a price point most sit-down spots can't touch. Expect a packed lot and a drive-thru line that wraps, especially after 9 PM.
Must-Try Dishes: Double-Double, Animal Style Burger, Animal Fries
Scores:
Value: 8.5 Service: 8 Consistency: 8 Food Quality: 8.5 Atmosphere: 7.5 Cultural Relevance: 9
What makes it special: West Coast fast-food icon with a famously short menu, secret menu cult following, and one of LA's most photographed neon signs on Sunset Blvd.
Who should go: Burger loyalists, late-night crowds, and first-time LA visitors
When to visit: Late night or off-peak afternoons to avoid long drive-thru lines
What to order: Start with a Double-Double animal style, add animal fries to share, and go protein style if you want it lettuce-wrapped.
Insider tip: Order a Neapolitan shake — it combines chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry and isn't listed on the board.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Small dedicated lot that fills up fast, especially evenings and weekends — drive-thru line regularly spills into the lot. Street parking on Sunset is metered and competitive. Best bet is side streets south of Sunset.
Noise level: Loud and buzzy during peak hours — orders being called, packed dining room, drive-thru energy. Off-peak weekday afternoons are noticeably calmer.
Weekend wait: 20–30 minutes is common — lines are long but move steadily. Drive-thru can back up onto Sunset.
Weekday lunch: 10–15 minutes typical. Still busy given the tourist-heavy location near Hollywood landmarks, but manageable.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Grilled Cheese is on the official 'Not So Secret Menu' — two slices of American cheese, lettuce, tomato, spread, onion on a toasted bun. Fries are cut fresh and cooked in 100% sunflower oil (no shared fryer with animal products).
Vegan options: The 'Veggie Burger' (aka Wish Burger) is a bun with lettuce, tomato, and onion — no patty, no cheese, no spread. Fries are vegan. Options are extremely limited.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? No — this is a fast-food counter-service spot with bright fluorescent lighting, plastic booths, and a bustling drive-thru crowd. There's nothing intimate or quiet about it. That said, if your idea of a great first date is bonding over Animal Style burgers on Sunset Blvd at midnight, it can be a fun, low-pressure move — just don't expect ambiance.
Can I get a table without a reservation? No reservations needed or accepted — it's counter service only. Order at the register or drive-thru and grab any open seat. Be warned: this Hollywood location gets packed, especially late night on weekends when the club crowd rolls in. Expect lines out the door after 10pm on Fridays and Saturdays. Midday weekdays are your best bet for a quick in-and-out experience.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes — one of the most kid-friendly options around. The simple menu makes ordering easy: small burgers, grilled cheese for picky eaters, fresh-cut fries, and shakes. High chairs are available. The casual, noisy environment means nobody will notice if your toddler has a meltdown. No toys with meals, but the food itself keeps kids happy. Great for families any time of day.
Is it good for groups? It works for casual groups of 4-6 who don't mind standard fast-food seating — booths and small tables. There are no private rooms, no large-format tables, and no way to reserve space. For bigger groups, you'll likely need to split across multiple tables. The late-night hours (open until 1:00-1:30am) make it a solid post-event group stop, but don't expect a sit-down group dining experience.
Is there outdoor seating? Yes — this location has outdoor patio seating. It's a nice option for enjoying the California weather while you eat, though it's basic fast-food patio style (not a covered fine-dining terrace). The outdoor area can fill up during peak hours, especially on warm evenings. No table service — you'll carry your tray out from the counter.
Best For
Better for: Late-night cravings near Hollywood Blvd — open until 1:00 a.m. weeknights and 1:30 a.m. weekends, with a quality-to-price ratio that's hard to beat on Sunset.
Consider Alternatives If: You want a sit-down meal or a quiet conversation — it's a high-energy, high-turnover fast-food spot with limited indoor seating.

Hours

Monday10:30am - 1am
Tuesday10:30am - 1am
Wednesday10:30am - 1am
Thursday10:30am - 1am
Friday10:30am - 1:30am
Saturday10:30am - 1:30am
Sunday10:30am - 1am